The county was named for William Pitt, 1st Earl of Chatham, British statesman and Prime Minister 1766 – 1768. Pitt was known as “The Great Commoner” due to his refusal to accept a title before 1766. Chatham opposed taxation without consent. The Townshend duties, taxing items such as glass, paper, and tea on their importation to America were in direct opposition to his principles, and were passed without his consent.